10 Things to Try for the First Time on a Cruise

Nov 13, 2016

Seasoned cruisers will know for a fact that cruise ships can hide many secret gems, including new and exciting activities you probably wouldn’t expect to find during your time at sea. Every year, cruise lines continue to launch more varied and exciting activities onboard their ships. You’ll find many are things you’ve never tried before, or if you have, you almost definitely wont have tried them quite like this.

We’ve compiled a list of our top 10 activities you have to try for the first time while cruising.

1. Riding a bike

Ok, so we’ve all at least tried riding a bike, but even the most avid cyclists are unlikely to have tried riding a bike 150-feet above the deck of a huge cruise ship. Well, now you can, with Carnival Vista’s unique pedal-powered SkyRide attraction.

2. Go-karting

Norwegian Cruises announced in April that its latest ship, Norwegian Joy, would soon be adding go-karting to its already bursting roster of incredible onboard activities. Imagine speeding around, racing your mates out on the open ocean. It’s the perfect way to experience go-karting for the first time.

3. Bumper cars

Quantum of the Seas®, Royal Caribbean®’s action-packed ship, invites cruisers to celebrate their holiday in classic carnival style, complete with a bit of bumper car excitement. So what are you waiting for? Challenge your friends to a high speed duel at sea.

4. Sky diving

Onboard that same ship, Quantum of the Seas, is the exhilarating opportunity to try sky diving for the first time. The RipCord by iFly® simulator gives you the chance to levitate magically in its state-of-the-art wind tunnel, giving you a sense of what it would really be like to jump out of a plane.

5. 4-D Cinema

While cinemas around the world are still trying to find the best way to make films more immersive, the MSC Preziosa is one step ahead, offering a unique and fully 4-D theatre experience. Every viewer will be treated to a three-dimensional spectacle, with effects that tickle the rest of the senses, too. One thing’s for sure – every film you watch on this incredible cruise ship will feel more real than anywhere else.

6. Crazy golf

Crazy golf may already be one of your favourite past times, but we’re sure you won’t have tried it like this. Every single one of Carnival Cruise Lines’ ships has a large and twisting crazy golf course for you to try out, but careful with those long puts as there’s no chance of fishing your balls out of the water here!

7. Rock climbing

Back to Royal Caribbean’s extensive list of activities, this time we’re sailing onboard Allure of the Seas®, one of the line’s most beloved vessels. The ship boasts many extravagant features, but top of that list is the massive climbing wall which extends 30-feet above the deck.

8. A bar crawl

Under a glittering chandelier, this RCI champange bar is the perfect spot for a glass of bubbly

One for the grown ups now, and with Oasis of the Seas® hosting 37 bars onboard, this ship is the perfect place to try your first bar crawl. It’s one of the largest ships on the seas to date, spanning 1,187-feet in length, making this more of a bar marathon than a crawl. It’s sure to be worth it though, especially as this ship is famous for slipping under the Danish Great Belt Bridge on her maiden voyage. Imagine experiencing that after a few glasses of wine!

9. Athletics

While you’re onboard Oasis of the Seas mapping out that bar crawl, we’ve got another fun activity for you. This ship has just under half a mile of running track, snaking through its corridors and over its decks. With the salty sea air clearing your mind and a run to get the blood pumping, this is the perfect way to reinvigorate yourself while on holiday.

10. Surfing

Fancy a go at surfing? Don’t worry, we’re not about to suggest you jump overboard and try your luck on the actual ocean waves. The ship with everything, Oasis of the Seas, has another trick up her sleeve. Don’t worry if you’ve just booked another ship, 12 of Royal Caribbean ships feature the ever exciting FlowRiders® . In fact, this simulator is just perfect for your first time on the waves. With the experience you gain onboard, you may just be able to try it on the beach at one of your magnificent stop off destinations.

Now you’re aware of all the new experiences waiting to be discovered, you can choose the right ship for your cruise. Which one will you pick first?